Tie plate and switch-point lock



Jan. 16,1923.

B. J. HOOVER.

.TIE PLATE AND SWITCH POINT LocK.

' FIG. 1.

B.. 01H00 VBE-1 INVENTOR,

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ATTORNEY,

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om @N 5 o HQOVEHQINVENTO A TTORNEY Patented dan. 16, 1923.

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TIE PLTE AND SWITCH-POINT LOCK.

.Application filed October 7, 192i.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN J. HOOVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meridian, in the county of Lauderdale and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tic Plate and Switch-Point Locks, of which the fol-- lowing is a specifica-tion, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

i The present invention relates generally to railroad switch points, and more especially7 to a combined tie plate and locking device for a switch point, it beingL the object of the invention to provide a novel and in1- proved device of that kind combining a. tie plate for the switch point and means for retaining said point in closed position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a switch point locking device of novel and improved construction for eectively retaining the switch point in closed position and preventing same. from being opened by an object dragging or dangling from a train, orthe like.

`With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope `of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein--` Figure 1 is a plan view or" the device.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 showing the device in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat similar view showing the switch point unlocked and portions in section.

- Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

1n the drawings, the switch point is designated at 8, and constitutes the flexible terminal portion of a rail which is arranged at fan acute angle with and adapted to bear against and lit one side of the rail 7, as well known, and said switch point 8 and rail 7 are disposed on the usual cross tie 9.

In carrying out the present invention, a tie plate 104 is disposed on the tie 9, and the switch point 8 bears on said plate for lateral movement to closed and open positions. as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, respectively. The plate 10 has the opposite downturned Serial N0. 506,007.

The locking device includes an arm or dog `14 disposed between the portion 12 of the tie plate 10 and a side plate 15 disposed parallel with the portion 12. The arm 14 is pivoted at its lower end, below the switch point 8, on a rod or bolt 16 which entends through the plate 15, tie 9 and portions 1 1 and 12 of the tie plate 10, whereby the arm or dog 14 extends upwardly and is swingable in a vertical plane at the side of the tie toward and away from the rail 7. The bolts 13 also extend through the plate 15, and spacers 17 are disposed on the bolts 13 between the portion 12 and plate 15, for closing the spaces between said portion and plate. The portion 12, plate 15 and spacers 17` form a casing or housing for the dog 14. The'dog 14 extends upwardly out of suon casing or housing, and is provided at its upper end with a finger 18 extending at an angle to overlap the base flange of the switch point 8, as seen in Fig. 2.

A cover plate 19 is slidable on the plate 10 and upper edge of the plate 15 over the space between the portion 12 and plate 15, for excluding rain, snow, dirt, `and the like, from the casing or housing of the dog 14, and said plate 19 has an opening 2O through which the dog 14 extends, whereby said plate is slidable with the dog. The plate has a flange 21 depending from one ledge thereof and overlapping the plate l5.

ln order to control and operate the dog` 14, a hand lever 22 is pivotally mounted on the terminal of a bolt 23 extending transversely through the tie 9. The lever 22 has a wrist pin 24 extending to one side on which is mounted one terminal of a link 25 which has its other terminal pivoted to the dog 14. The link 25 extends over one of the spacers 17 which terminates below the upper surface of the tie 9, and the lever 22 and link 25 are located at the same side of the tie as the d og 14. The link 25 has a turn buckle 26 therein, for adjusting said n tlange el said point.

link, and regulating the position of the deg 14e when the lever 22 is swung to its opposite positions, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. ai washer' or spacer 27 is disposed in the wrist pin 24 between the lever 22 and link 25, and a similar washer or spacer 28 is disposed on the bolt 23 between the tie 9 and lever 22, for properly spacing said parts so as not to interfere when the lever22 is swung to move the link 25 and dog 14. .ai handle 29 is secured to the lever 22 for convenience in swinging it back and forth, andthe side of the tie is cut out, as at 30, to accommodate the lever 22, as shown.

l/Vhen the switch point 8 is in closed position, seen in Fig. 2, the lever 22 is swung toward the rail T and downwardly, thereby pulling the link toward the lett, and swinging the dog 11i against the switch point 8, with the linger 18 overlapping the base This will lock the switch point in closed position against accidental opening movement. The link 25 having moved to or beyond the aXis of the pivot bolt 23, when the lever 22 was swung to the position as seen in Fig. 2, will prevent any strain on the dog 14 from swinging the lever 22, and such lever therefore locks the link 25 in or beyond dead center. The turn buckle 26 provides 'for adjustment to assure ot the dog 14 clamping the point 8 tightly in place when the lever 22 is swung to locking position. In this position, the cover plate 19 covers the space between the f plate and portion 12 which form the sides ol the casing or housing for said dog. When the lever 22 is swung upwardly and away trom the rail 7, the link is shoved into the casing or housing for swinging the dog 14 to open position, as seen in Fig. 3, whereby the switch point 8 can be moved open, the cover plate 19 being slid with the dog away from the switch point 8.

The construction is simple, and can be readily installed on the tie 9.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A tie plate for a switch point having a downturned portion to overlap one side of a tie, and a dog directly adjacent and connected to said portion and extending upwardly therefrom to engage a switch point, said dog being movable along said portion to and from the switch point.

2. A tie plate for a switch point having a downturned portion to overlap one side of a tie, and holding means directly adjacent to and carried by said portion and movable along said portion into and out or" engagement with the switch point.

3. A tie plate for a switch point having a downturned portion to be disposed at one side ot atie, a dog directly adjacent and pivoted to said portion to move along said portion and extending upwardly, and means torv swinging said dog into and out of en gagement with the switch point and for holding the dog when swung into engagement. with said switch point.

d. A tie plate for a switch point having a downturned portion to be disposed at one side ot' a tie, a side plate cooperable with said portion, and a dog mounted between said side plate and portion and movable tor locking the switch point.

5. A tie plate for a switch point having opposite downturned portions to overlap opposite sides ot' a tie, and locking means for theswitch pointassembledgwith one of said portions. i

6. Arswitch point lock including anl upwardly-projecting dog to engage a switch point, means for pivotally connecting said dog toy one side ofja tie to swing along said side of the tie about a xed pivot into and out ot engagement with the switch point, and means for swinging said dog into and out of engagement with the switch point and for holding it when swung intoposi tion with said switch point. o

7. A switch point lock including a holis-A ing, a dog mounted in said housing and eX- tending upwardly therefrom and movable to engage the switch point, and a cover vfor the housing engaging .said dog to move therewith.

8. A switch point lock including a movable switch .point engaging dog, a lever, and a link connecting said lever and dog, said lever and links being arranged to Vmove in or near dead center position when the dog is moved into engagement with the switch point. l Y Y 9. A switch point lock including a movable switch point engagingdog, a lever, and an adjustable link connecting said lever and dog for positioning the dogwhen inIlock.- ing position with the lever and link in or near dead center position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature. f

BENJAMIN J. Hoovnn. 

